£59.99–£67.98Price range: £59.99 through £67.98Original price was: £59.99 – £67.98Price range: £59.99 through £67.98.£49.99–£57.98Price range: £49.99 through £57.98Current price is: £49.99 – £57.98Price range: £49.99 through £57.98.
SKU: MediumElm-Literati
Free Delivery by Friday 23rd October available
Reasons to shop with us
FREE Next Working Day Delivery
to most UK addresses - order by 3:25pm
FREE Nominated-Day Delivery
to most UK addresses on orders over £29.99
Trusted, Sustainable Growers
every bonsai is nurtured with love on our Devon nursery
FREE Gift Message
available on all orders
Not Home? No Problem
Our couriers can leave your order in a safe place
Secure, Bespoke Packaging
safe, tracked delivery
This Chinese Elm bonsai is a strong choice for both beginners and enthusiasts. Its elegant literati shape creates a clean and artistic look, while its hardy nature makes care straightforward. The combination of aged bark, delicate foliage, and balanced design gives it lasting appeal. Presented in a glazed ceramic pot, it is ready to display straight away. Overall, it is a simple yet striking bonsai plant that brings natural charm into any indoor setting.
What's in This Bundle?
1xLiterati-Style 12 Year Old Chinese Elm
1xDrip Tray Options for Medium Pots
Description
Chinese Elm Bonsai Plant | 12 Year Old Indoor Literati Style
A refined bonsai plant perfect for beginners
This 12-year-old Chinese Elm bonsai plant offers a simple yet elegant introduction to bonsai. It features a graceful literati-style shape, which removes lower branches and draws the eye to the flowing trunk and refined canopy. With its rich green, serrated leaves and naturally textured bark, this bonsai brings both character and balance into any indoor space.
A bonsai with year-round appeal
The Chinese Elm, also known as Ulmus parvifolia, provides consistent interest throughout the year. Its small, vibrant leaves create a soft, full canopy, while the aged bark adds depth and maturity. The literati form highlights the craftsmanship of the tree, allowing each curve of the trunk to stand out clearly. This bonsai remains easy to care for, making it especially suitable for beginners.
What you will receive
You will receive a 12-year-old Chinese Elm, styled in a literati form with no lower branches. It comes potted in a navy blue glazed ceramic pot, with an optional drip tray available. As each bonsai is unique and not from a fixed premium range, expect slight variation from the photo.
Meaning behind the bonsai plant
The Chinese Elm symbolises inner strength, intuition, wisdom, and love. Because of this, it makes a thoughtful and meaningful gift. At the same time, it serves as a calming presence in your own home, adding both beauty and purpose to your space.
Why choose Bonsai Direct
We grow and care for our bonsai in our UK nursery, ensuring quality and attention to detail. Each tree is selected and prepared with care before dispatch. We also offer reliable delivery options, making it easy to receive your bonsai in excellent condition.
Specification
Evergreen
Yes - If kept indoors
Flowering/Fruiting
No
Pot Size (cm)
19 x 14
Pot Colour
Blue
Indoor/Outdoor
Either - Protect from frosts
Difficulty
Easy - Perfect for beginners
Maintenance
Positioning: Place in bright position avoiding direct sunlight in mid summer.
Watering: Keep soil evenly damp; check daily.
Feeding: Apply bonsai fertiliser weekly following the instructions on the bottle.
Pruning: Trim new shoots regularly to keep shape and encourage ramification.
Repotting: Repot every two years in early spring using free-draining bonsai soil.
Note: Can live outside during summer months but protect from frost.
Pet Friendly
Yes
Bonsai Variety
The Chinese Elm (Ulmus parvifolia) makes a truly beautiful bonsai with small bright green leaves. The tree has excellent twig structure and has great character throughout, making it the perfect representation of a woodland tree. In our opinion the Chinese Elm is the most perfectly proportioned, easy to care for and adaptable tree and makes a superb bonsai; which can be grown either indoors or outdoors.
Delivery
🌿 Delivery Options Choose your date
Service
When will it arrive?
Charge
Standard Delivery
(England, Wales & Southern Scotland)
Next working day (order before 3:25pm) or your chosen date
FREE
Premium AM
(Weekdays before 1pm)
Next working day (order before 3:25pm) or your chosen date
£8.99
Weekend Delivery
Chosen Saturday or Sunday
£8.99
Highlands & Islands
AB37–38, AB54–56, FK17–21, GY, HS, IV1–63, JE, KA27–28, KW1–17, PA20–49, PA60–78, PH19–26, PH30–40, PH42–44, PH49–50, TR21–25, ZE
Two working days (order before 3:25pm) or your chosen date
£7.99
Northern Ireland
Two working days (order before 3:25pm) or your chosen date
£7.99
✅ Every bonsai is hand-checked, watered, and securely packaged for safe arrival.
📘 Printed care guide included with all orders.
🚚 All bonsai tree orders can be tracked and our couriers will notify you of your delivery slot.
Bonsai Care
🌱 Bonsai Care Guide Beginner-friendly
Care
What to do
How often
Step 1
Read your printed Care Instruction Guide included with every bonsai tree before you begin.
Upon arrival
On arrival
In hot weather, stand pot in water for 5 minutes, then drain.
Once on day 1
Position
Indoor Bonsai – Bright daylight, avoid harsh midday sun & cold draughts. Outdoor Bonsai – bright to semi-shaded, sheltered position.
All year
Water
Check soil daily; keep damp to the touch (not soggy). In hot spells, soak the pot briefly.
Daily check
Mist
Lightly mist foliage to boost humidity and condition leaves.
Once or twice a week
Feed
Use bonsai fertiliser, diluted as directed. Follow the directions on the bottle.
Species dependant
Prune
Trim longer shoots to maintain shape and encourage new growth.
As needed
Health
If needed, use an invigorator/insecticide and follow the label instructions.
If issues arise
🌿 Don’t worry! Your detailed printed care guide walks you through everything step by step.
🎥 Extra help & videos are available on our website.
✅ Every bonsai is checked, watered & securely packaged before dispatch.
£115.00
£76.99
